While Liverpool remain keen on signing Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi, it seems that Fenway Sports Group (FSG) are about to close the deal for another centre-back for a hefty sum, according to a report.<\/p>\n
Liverpool\u2019s interest in Guehi has been well-documented<\/a>, with sources telling us that the Crystal Palace star is the top centre-back target for the defending Premier League champions in 2026. Guehi is out of contract at Palace at the end of the season and will not sign a new contract with the London club.<\/p>\n According to Bolavip<\/a>, though, it is not Guehi but Joel Ordonez, who \u2018is close to becoming a\u00a0Liverpool\u00a0player\u2019 as \u2018negotiations have intensified\u2019.<\/p>\n The major news outlet in the USA and South America had earlier reported that Liverpool were the \u2018frontrunners\u2019 for Ordonez<\/a>, and now it has brought an update on the situation of 21-year-old Ecuador international central defender.<\/p>\n Liverpool will reportedly pay Ordonez \u2018a fortune in salary\u2019, which is close to \u2018$4million (\u00a33m, \u20ac3.41m) a year, almost triple his current salary at Club Brugge\u2019.<\/p>\n Chelsea have already withdrawn from the race for the Club Brugge centre-back, who \u2018is close to joining Liverpool unless Inter Milan withdraws their offer\u2019 for the youngster.<\/p>\n The report has added that Liverpool will have to pay Club Brugge over \u20ac40m (\u00a335m, $47m) for the youngster.<\/p>\n Ordonez has played 105 matches in all competitions for Club Brugge so far in his career, scoring four goals and providing two assists in the process.<\/p>\n The defender is under contract at the Belgian club until the summer of 2029, having signed a new extension only in September 2025.<\/p>\n Ordonez won the Belgian Pro League with Club Brugge in 2023\/24, and the Belgian Cup and the Belgian Super Cup in the 2024\/25 campaign.<\/p>\n Want more breaking transfer lines from original sources? Add TEAMtalk\u00a0as a preferred source on Google\u00a0<\/strong><\/a>to your favourites list for news you can trust.<\/p>\n What sources have told TEAMtalk about Joel Ordonez<\/strong><\/p>\n We can confirm Liverpool\u2019s interest in Ordonez.<\/p>\n Our transfer correspondent, Graeme Bailey, reported on December 4 that Liverpool have made contact with Ordonez\u2019s camp over a January 2026 move<\/a>.<\/p>\n We understand that Liverpool have been following Ordonez closely for the past 12 months and have now firmed up their interest.<\/p>\n Sources have told us that Guehi will not leave Palace in the middle of the season, which is why Liverpool are trying to bring Ordonez to Anfield now.<\/p>\n Ibrahima Konate has not been in great form this season, and Liverpool manager Arne Slot and sporting director Richard Hughes believe that signing a new centre-back is important.<\/p>\n Sources have indicated to Bailey that Ordonez himself is ready to move to England.<\/p>\n Latest Liverpool transfer news: Real Madrid stance on Mac Allister, Camavinga blow<\/strong><\/p>\n Meanwhile, Liverpool have learnt Real Madrid\u2019s latest stance on signing Alexis Mac Allister<\/a>; it will please manager Arne Slot.<\/p>\n Sources have told TEAMtalk\u2019s transfer insider, Graeme Bailey, whether RB Leipzig would sell their gem to Liverpool for \u00a350million<\/a>.<\/p>\n